6 Ways to Tell Your Story Through Interior Design

Interior design isn’t just about keeping up with the Jones’ and impressing your friends and family. With interior design, you can tell your own unique story with every little detail of your home. From the types of furniture to the paint on the wall, all design elements give visitors a little peak into what makes you tick. Just like the clothes you wear, your home is a great window into your soul. It should reflect your style and taste and your passions. For example, if you are an avid reader then wall to wall book shelves with your favorite books and poems proudly displayed and a cozy reading nook with a comfy chair will speak volumes about your voracious reading appetite. Remember that it doesn’t always take a lot of money to impress with interior design. Just take the time to make sure there is meaning behind every detail and you will have a home that speaks volumes about what is important to you. Here are 6 ways to tell your story through interior design:

1. Family Heirlooms

One easy way to tell your story is to include family heirlooms into your interior design. If you got your grandmother’s china, don’t let it collect dust in storage somewhere, bring it out and display it proudly in your dining room. Or maybe it is a rocking chair or a painting done by a family member that has been passed down in the family. Find a way to include a little piece of your past in every room. Don’t lose heart though if you don’t have any heirlooms. If you love antiques that tell the story of a former era, you can collect pieces from your favorite time period and decorate with them as inspiration pieces. Some antiques can get pricy so don’t rush out and buy the first thing you see. Spend some time perusing flea markets and antique shops and wait for special pieces that have meaning to you. If you take the wait and watch carefully approach you may even get a discounted price for it.

2. Get Hands On

If you like working with your hands and being creative then why not make your own furniture or decorations to add something uniquely your own to your home? For instance you can make a lamp out of a childhood trophy or a special vase or you can distress and paint your dining room table yourself. This isn’t for everyone however. If you don’t enjoy hands-on projects and feel like you are all thumbs most of the time, then this might not be the route for you. You don’t want your pieces to look too arts and crafty so only commit to a DIY project if you know you can make it look professional looking. If you quilt, then display all your blankets around your home, on beds and draped across couches and even on the walls as a tapestry.

3. Family Photos

Of course, nothing tells a story better than personal photographs and artwork. Whether they are pictures of the kids and grandkids or photos of all the places you have traveled to, creating a wall of photos can really give visitors to your home a glimpse into your life. Use the long stairway as a photo gallery or sprinkle photos throughout the house showing little moments in time for you and your family. If an important family member has passed away then you can commemorate them with a little photo memorial. For the best results, try to mix different sized photos together and look for unique photo frames to hold them. Remember that everything doesn’t have to match so choose frames of different colors and materials to create a one-of-a kind look.

4. Art Collection

If you are an art connoisseur, including your art collection through your home is also a great conversation starter when people come over. Not only can you discuss how the piece speaks to you, but also the story about how you came to acquire it. Did you buy a painting or a special photograph on your honeymoon? Proudly display it in your living room. Your family and friends will love hearing that story and for you, each time you walk into the room, you will think back to that special time. Don’t worry about picking famous and expensive pieces. It should be about how the piece makes you feel and how it fits into the overall theme of the room it is displayed in.

5. Choose a Design Aesthetic that Matches Your Personality

Is there a certain design aesthetic or time period that reflects your personality more than others? Do you consider yourself more modern or more traditional or a little bit country? Or are you more eclectic in your style? You should definitely decorate more to your style or personality. For example, if you like to add a little bit of fun and a note of luxury into every room, consider cowhide rugs. The great thing about them is that they don’t only fit in country or ranch style homes anymore. You will see them even in modern apartments as a contrast to all the monochrome and glass. Cowhide rugs are very durable and last a long time so they are often passed down as family heirlooms which would be an added plus. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and have some fun with your decorating.

6. Use Color Intentionally

Color and the lack of it in a home can be very powerful and tell its own story. Do you love bright colors and like to see the bright side of every situation? Then a bright kitchen filled with sunshine yellow and crisp whites can reflect your sunny disposition. Do you like every part of your home to exude elegance and luxury? Deep reds, burnt oranges and dark colors can really help add to a luxurious style. The most important thing to remember is to use color intentionally so it brings meaning to your overall design. Your home should also be your haven away from the realities of life. Don’t let mountains upon mountains of clutter get in the way. When your house is a mess it is hard for you or your guests to appreciate the personal touches you painstakingly added to your home. You want those personal touches to jump out when you walk in the room. So go ahead and tell your story through interior design.